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Indonesia on “the edge of catastrophe”

Published

5 years ago

June 30, 2021

The Red Cross is appealing for urgent medical supplies and vaccines as Indonesia spirals into crisis

Indonesia is battling a huge surge in Covid-19 infections. Hospitals have reached breaking point, with infections skyrocketing throughout the archipelago.

On Friday, medical officials in the province of West Java said bed occupancy rates in hospitals had exceeded 90 per cent. Some hospitals have exceeded 100 per cent capacity, pushing the health system “close to collapse”.

While Indonesia has been seeing a surge in #COVID19 cases in the past few weeks, the official public health records on the positivity rate has remained relatively unchanged, raising questions about the country’s testing capability https://t.co/dv4ARgVlQY pic.twitter.com/IFIJ1uGhH9
— Andreas Harsono (@andreasharsono) June 29, 2021

The nation is recording more than 20,000 cases per day in what is a grim record number of infections. This brings the total rate of infections since the start of the pandemic to 2.1 million. The county’s death toll is sitting at close to 58,000 people.

However, the Red Cross has suggested that the actual number of people who are sick and infected is likely to be far higher.

The Red Cross is calling for urgent increases in medical care, testing and vaccinations

“Every day we are seeing this Delta variant driving Indonesia closer to the edge of a COVID-19 catastrophe,” Jan Gelfand, head of the IFRC in Indonesia said in a statement.

“We need lightning-fast action globally so that countries like Indonesia have access to the vaccines needed to avert tens of thousands of deaths. We must focus on getting vaccinations into the arms of those most at-risk and all adults everywhere to contain this virus.”

Under 5 per cent of Indonesia’s adult population has been fully vaccinated

Indonesia needs another 360 million doses to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of the population. At least 27.4 million have received the first dose.

The IFRC says Indonesia faces global vaccine inequity as a hurdle to securing the 360 million doses it needs to vaccinate at least 70 percent of its population.

Related Topics:covid Featured INDONESIA trending

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Natasha Schapova

Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.

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Minneapolis protests erupt after fatal ICE shooting

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Tensions in Minneapolis have escalated following the fatal shooting of a mother by a U.S. Immigration agent. The incident has sparked outrage across the city, with residents taking to the streets to demand justice. Authorities are struggling to contain the unrest as public anger continues to mount.

State and federal officials are now at odds over the investigation. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has stepped back after the FBI assumed control, while the state attorney general has warned that state-level charges could still be pursued independently. The political divide adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.

In response to the protests, schools in Minneapolis have closed and the National Guard has been activated to maintain order. Citizens are being urged to stay safe as tensions remain high and the city braces for further demonstrations.

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#MinneapolisProtests #ICEShooting #USNews #FBIInvestigation #NationalGuard #StateVsFederal #JusticeForAll #TickerNews

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Iran protests escalate as economy crumbles

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Protests are spreading across Iran after the country’s currency suffered a dramatic collapse, pushing inflation to more than 42 percent in December. Rising prices are squeezing household budgets, with basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for millions of Iranians.

What began as frustration over the cost of living has quickly grown into widespread public anger, as families struggle to keep up with soaring expenses amid a weakening rial and economic uncertainty.

These economic pressures have become the catalyst for demonstrations across major cities, marking one of the most serious waves of unrest linked directly to inflation in recent years.

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#Iran #Inflation #GlobalEconomy #MiddleEast #Protests #CurrencyCrisis #WorldNews #Ticker

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PM initiates royal commission on anti-Semitism and unity

PM announces royal commission to address anti-Semitism and social cohesion following pressure from various communities and leaders

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Ahron Young

PM announces royal commission to address anti-Semitism and social cohesion following pressure from various communities and leaders

In Short:
– Anthony Albanese has announced a royal commission into anti-Semitism and social cohesion, led by Virginia Bell.
– The inquiry aims to foster unity in Australia amid rising tensions and concerns from various community groups.

Anthony Albanese has initiated a commonwealth royal commission into anti-Semitism and social cohesion following mounting pressure.

The inquiry, announced in Canberra, will be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, despite opposition from some Jewish groups.The Prime Minister stated the need for a royal commission was essential for promoting unity within Australia, particularly after engaging with families of Bondi attack victims and the Jewish community.

He confirmed discussions with NSW Premier Chris Minns and expects the single commission to run over the next 12 months, with further comments from Mr Minns anticipated soon.

The prime minister has been asked if he’s still worried a royal commission would fuel antisemitism. Anthony Albanese insists he doesn’t want the inquiry to weaken social cohesion.

“The royal commissioner will bear in mind how hearings are conducted in the processes of their conduct,” Albanese says.

“We have been working on this for weeks. I have been engaged with the community.”

The prime minister was questioned about whether it was a mistake to reject calls for a royal commission into antisemitism. Following the Bondi terror attack, the federal government faced pressure to establish such a commission.

Anthony Albanese stated that the government has implemented various measures within the 25 days following the attack.

“We have increased funding for security agencies. We have had daily briefings of the National Security Committee,” Albanese says.

“The Commonwealth have particular resources and one of the groups and individuals I’ve spoken to as well have been people outside of New South Wales,” he says.

Highly-respected former High Court judge Justice Virginia Margaret Bell is the PM’s pick to lead the royal commission.

Sustained advocacy

This decision comes after sustained advocacy from various groups, including victims’ families, former leaders, and prominent figures across sectors.

Over recent weeks, Albanese and his team had put forth several arguments against a royal commission, such as concerns over divisiveness and potential exposure of sensitive information.

Gamel Kheir from the Lebanese Muslim Association has suggested that a broader inquiry into all forms of “minority religion” discrimination is needed, expressing wariness within the Muslim community regarding the federal inquiry’s focus.

Broad Support

A significant number of community and cultural organisations back a royal commission addressing social tensions and discrimination related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In support of this sentiment, nearly 50 diaspora and faith groups released an open letter urging a thorough examination of rising anti-Semitism and related issues following the Bondi Beach terror attack.